The Court of Arbitration for Sport recently rejected an appeal from 800m champion runner Caster Semenya to declare void a regulation that barred females with Differential Sex Disorders (DSD) from running in races between 400m and a mile without bringing down their testosterone levels to under 5 nmol/L. The decision sent shock-waves through track and field because it was discriminatory and exclusionary against women with naturally occurring high-testosterone.

Key demands of the question:

The answer must weigh the impact of such a decision that disfavors the women as a lesser gender. One must analyse the decision with a view of the affect it has on the society that we are in today which has moved far ahead from the parochial mindset of differentiating men and women on mere means of physical power.

Directive word

Criticallyanalyze – When asked to analyze, you have to examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them as a whole in a summary. When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, one needs to look at the good and bad of the topic and give a fair judgement.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction

In a few introductory lines explain the backdrop of the situation.

Body

Discuss the following aspects in the answer:

How does the Ban on Caster Semenya reveals limits of trying to ensure equal opportunity while delineating between male, female athletes?

Discuss the associated facts – Female bodies can produce testosterone as high as 7 to 29 nmol/L closer to the male range, far above the 1.79 nmol/L seen in 98.3 per cent of females.

Relevance of Differential Sex Disorders (DSD).

Why is the issue with Sports ?

What needs to be done?

Conclusion

Conclude with way forward.

General Studies – 2

Topic: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests.Disaster and disaster management.

The question is in the context of recent announcement made by President Donald Trump that the United States would raise tariffs on 200 billion dollars of Chinese goods from 10 to 25 %, because trade talks are moving “too slowly.”

Demand of the question:

This question seeks to examine the negative impact of the US – China trade war on the global economy.

Directive word:

Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for and against arguments.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction

Start with brief introduction on the background of the context.

Body

Discuss the following points in detail:

Background – The two sides have imposed tariffs on 360 billion dollars in two-way trade since last year but Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping agreed to a truce in December to refrain from further escalation.

Provide for an overview of the trade wars going on in between the two countries –

Beginning: US President Donald Trump has complained about China’s trading practices since before he took office in 2016. The US launched an investigation into Chinese trade policies in 2017. It imposed tariffs on billions of dollars’ worth of Chinese products last year, and Beijing retaliated in kind.

Breakthrough: After months of hostilities, a breakthrough of sorts came in December. Both countries agreed to halt new trade tariffs to allow for talks.

What is the impact so far? Both US and international firms have said they are being harmed. Fears about a further escalation has rattled investors and hit stock markets. The IMF warned a full-blown trade war would weaken the global economy.

The question is in the backdrop of the investigation of sexual harassment allegations against Chief Justice of India by an in house three-member committee headed by Justice Bobde.It is important that the procedure followed in this case is carefully deliberated upon to ensure that it is fair, just and reasonable

Key demand of the question:

The answer must discuss in detail the process of inquiry under the In-House Procedure.

Directive:

Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for and against arguments.

Comment– here we have to express our knowledge and understanding of the issue and form an overall opinion thereupon..

Structure of the answer:

Introduction:

Brief upon the scenario.

Body:

Elaborate of what is Inquiry under the In-House Procedure?

The ‘In-House Procedure’ is specifically designed to deal with charges of misconduct against sitting judges of the court. It requires the Chief Justice of India to constitute a three-member panel of Supreme Court judges to enquire into a complaint of misconduct received by the CJI against a sitting judge. The CJI is further tasked with supervising and enforcing the outcome of this inquiry. The procedure, however, does not expressly provide for a mechanism to constitute a committee when the complaint is against the CJI himself.

Provide for pros and cons associated with such a system of inquiry

Discuss what are the issues and concerns involved?

Suggest what should be done ?

Conclusion:

Conclude that With institutional integrity at stake, the court must ensure that this inquiry instils confidence in the ability of formal institutional mechanisms to sensitively and fairly address sexual harassment. The Supreme Court must lead by example and abide by the principles that are expected to be followed for every other body inquiring into sexual harassment at the workplace.

General Studies – 3

Topic: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.

The Article highlights that the Business correspondents (BCs) operating in the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme and other banking services are finding it tough to operate due to reduction in fees and unaffordability of the Aadhar enabled payment system (AEPS).

Key demand of the question:

The answer must provide for a detailed narration of who is a Business correspondents (BCs) in the Banking system? role played by BC in ensuring financial inclusion of all sections of the society.

Directive word:

Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for and against arguments.

Structure of the answer

Introduction:

write a few introductory lines about the banking/Business correspondent.

Body:

Answers must discuss the following aspects :

Who are they? Business correspondents are retail agents engaged by banks for providing services at locations other than a bank branch or an ATM.

The article provides for a detailed analysis on the coming of 4th Industrial Revolution.

Key demand of the question:

Analyse in detail what is 4th Industrial Revolution and what are its impact on Indian economy.

Directive word:

Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for and against arguments.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction:

In a few introductory lines explain what you understand by 4th Industrial Revolution.

Body:

In brief discuss –

What is 4th Industrial Revolution (4th IR)? – characterized by a fusion of technologies that is blurring the lines between the physical, digital, and biological spheres.

There are three reasons why today’s transformations represent not merely a prolongation of the Third Industrial Revolution but rather the arrival of a Fourth and distinct one: velocity, scope, and systems impact.

The question is straightforward and is about analyzing the pros and cons of Internet.

Key demand of the question:

The answer must discuss the impact of use of internet on human beings.

Directive word:

Elaborate – Give a detailed account as to how and why it occurred, or what is the particular context. You must be defining key terms where ever appropriate, and substantiate with relevant associated facts.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction:

Begin with brief on what is internet.

Body:

Discuss – How does the Internet affect people’s lives? – Internet impact on society is now making economic, social, and political changes around the globe.

What are the side effects of Internet? – Emotional Symptoms of Online Addiction;Feelings of guilt, Anxiety, Depression, Dishonesty, Euphoric feelings when in front of the computer, Unable to keep schedules, No sense of time, Isolation Etc.

Discuss who all it affects and how?

What needs to be done to utilize it in the best possible way without much of disadvantage.

The article provides for a detailed analysis India’s conservation policies and legislation in environmental domain. It highlights that India is stridently moving away from community-involved conservation models.

Key demand of the question:

One needs to analyse India’s conservation policies and legislation in environmental domain with major focus on the recent shift in its approach that has moved away from community-involved conservation models.

Directive word:

Criticallyanalyze – When asked to analyze, you have to examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them as a whole in a summary. When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, one needs to look at the good and bad of the topic and give a fair judgement.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction:

In a few introductory lines explain the background of the question.

Body:

In brief discuss –

Discuss the recent legislations that highlights the alarming issue concerning India’s environmental policy like the eviction of more than a million forest-dwelling people from their homes.

Discuss the policies and initiatives of the government in this direction.

Take cues from the article and suggest your opinion and provide for a balanced judgement.

Conclusion:

Conclude with what needs to be done, suggest way forward.

NOTE:

We are giving hints for each question. Please use your creativity and originality to come up with answers that are unique to you. But do so without deviating from core demand of each question. Ultimately you should use your reason and judgement to write your own answer.